Although the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) has improved considerably, it is still a
worldwide disease with high morbidity and high mortality. Whilst there is still a long way to …

Cells and tissues generate and are exposed to various mechanical forces that act across a
range of scales, from tissues to cells to organelles. Forces provide crucial signals to inform …

The adult mammalian heart contains abundant interstitial and perivascular fibroblasts that
expand following injury and play a reparative role but also contribute to maladaptive fibrotic …

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling triggers diverse biological actions in
inflammatory diseases. In tissue fibrosis, it acts as a key pathogenic regulator for promoting …

Cardiac fibrosis is the excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen.
Myofibroblasts are major players in the production of collagen, and are differentiated …

Aims Fibrosis is associated with all forms of adult cardiac diseases including myocardial
infarction (MI). In response to MI, the heart undergoes ventricular remodelling that leads to …

The term 'mechanosensation'describes the capacity of cells to translate mechanical stimuli
into the coordinated regulation of intracellular signals, cellular function, gene expression …

Background: Conversion of cardiac stromal cells into myofibroblasts is typically associated
with hypoxia conditions, metabolic insults, and/or inflammation, all of which are predisposing …

Fibrosis results from defective wound healing processes often seen after chronic injury
and/or inflammation in a range of organs. Progressive fibrotic events may lead to permanent …

Cardiomyocytes are permanently exposed to mechanical stimulation due to cardiac
contractility. Passive myocardial stiffness is a crucial factor, which defines the physiological …